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The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)

common sense media says

Trump's latest mixes celebs, charity, and extra iffy stuff.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this version of Donald Trump's famous reality show -- which features celebrities competing for cash to donate to their favorite charitable organizations -- contains more iffy content than its predecessor. While it sends positive messages about giving back to the community, it also contains the typical arguing and catty behavior one has come to expect from this business-oriented reality franchise. The show pushes the envelope with its salty language (“ass,” “piss,” “crap,” and “bitch”; curses like “f--k,” “s--t,” and "Goddamn“ are bleeped with mouths blurred), and contains some strong sexual innuendo, including sexist comments, and strong references to sexual activity. The third season of the series also highlights some of the controversy surrounding a major political figure. Brand logos for show sponsors like Apple computers, Mercedes-Benz, and Snapple beverages are prominent.

Positive messages: The positive messages about giving back to the community are matched with the competitiveness and catfighting that the franchise endorses.
Positive role models: While the celebs are earning money for their favorite charities, a few clearly have ulterior motives for appearing on the show. Some display some catty behavior.
Violence: Arguing is frequent, both in and outside the boardroom. Occasionally a cast member will express a desire to punch someone (but s/he doesn't act on it).
Sex: Contains some strong sexual innuendo, including references to foreplay and ejaculation. Terms like “man whore” are also used. Trump Sr. makes sexist references about one cast member’s backside.
Language: Contains lots of strong language. Words like “ass,” “crap,” “piss,” and “bitch” are audible. Stronger curses like “Goddamn,” "s--t,” and “f--k” are bleeped with mouths blurred.
Consumerism: Logos for Snapple, Apple, Mercedes-Benz, and other show sponsors are clearly visible.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Consumption of beer, wine, champagne, and cocktails visible.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Celebrity Apprentice

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how much of what they see in this show is real. Given that the contestants are celebrities, how much of what you see is staged? Do you think a lot of planning goes into what celebs are going to say (or not say) while the cameras are rolling?
  • Do you have a favorite charity? What kinds of things have you done to support it? Can you think of creative ways to raise awareness about its cause, or to raise money for its efforts?

What's the story?

What's the story?
THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE, the latest version of The Apprentice franchise, pits celebrities against each other for a good cause. Each week the group of actors, models, musicians, comedians, athletes, and even a shamed politician, competes as two teams in a variety of business challenges to raise money and awareness for their favorite charity. Executive members of the Trump Organization, including Trump’s children, Don Jr. and Ivanka, monitor their progress. The team that earns the most money at the end of each contest wins a cash donation to an aid organization. As expected, The Donald fires members of the losing group. The winning celebrity not only wins the title, but an additional $250,000 bonus for his or her chosen charity, and the satisfaction of knowing that they’ve helped people in need. 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The franchise’s now-familiar formula takes on a colorful twist thanks to the personalities of people like Gene Simmons, Joan Rivers, Sharon Osbourne, and Bret Michaels. The ensembles of Type-A personalities usually leads to lots of arguing and catty behavior both in and out of the boardroom. However, because the contestants are competing for charity rather than for a high-profile job, the overall series is slightly less cutthroat than its predecessor, though it makes up for it with more foul language and sexy content than ever before.

Some of the scenes are clearly staged, and some the celebs, including impeached Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, are making the most of the publicity they are receiving for their participation. The presence of Trump’s kids, while offering a glimpse into their family relationship, also seems a little nepotistic. But if you look past all the reality drama, you will see some very passionate efforts to give back to the community.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: NBC
Cast: Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: NBC
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

SNL2312
kid, 12 years old
9
 
I'm sorry but ya fired
I LOVE THIS SHOW! It's amazing! I think it's great because all the teams are so catty. Personally I like Nene because she and Star are constantly saying true dat. I think the show is really cool and the challenges are really interesting I don't mind the branding it seems to be common with NBC so you adapt to it. I would recommend to everyone, its a really good show!
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jillianlovescats
adult
10
 
This is good for Adults! Not Children 10 and Under!
This TV Show rocks! Kids 10 and under should not be allowed to watch it!
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supa mom
parent of and 9 , 13 , 15 , 17 year old
10
 
Great for kids age 9 and up
This is a great show for all tweens!!! I totally disagree with CSM... it is not as iffy as they say. There is some bad language, but only minor swears. All the bad ones are bleeped out. My 12, 14, 16 year old and I watch every episode!!!! I definitely recommend for any kid 9-10 and up!
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mardoggie2013
teen, 17 years old
14
 
You're fired!
I love this show. It's really cool to watch, but the only concerns I have are the language used and some product placement. A lot of the strong language is bleeped out, and the product placement isn't too bad. But the good thing is that they raise money for charity and you can see them giving to charity often times on the show.
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whiskertoes
kid, 13 years old
11
 
Really great show for ages 11-12 and up
I love this show! It is a great show, but some strong language is used but most of it is bleeped out. One of the very good things thought is the whole point of the show is to raise the most money for your charity. I think it is a great show for teens and tweens 11-12 and up or 10 if you really know your kid
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Meow314159
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Most are there for the RIGHT reason
I actually really like this show. I don't see much wrong with it except for consumerism and language, although the language is always bleeped out. It says above that some of the words are audible, no you can't really tell the difference from the bleeps. Also I think it shows good messages, they are all determined to raise money for their charities. Some of them are really raising the money for a personal reason (Bret Michaels-he has diabetes, Holly Robinson-her son has autism.) So I really think most of them are doing it for the right reason and actually after watching this show, I want to raise money for charities when I am older.
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sourcecoderocks
kid, 13 years old
11
 
Love it!
I loveeeeeeeeeeee this show!! (i like the non-celeb version as well) it teaches you how to make and manage money, and the celeb version encourages giving to charities.
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